Terrestrial ecosystem ecology and stable isotope biogeochemistry

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Dr. Sharon Billings, Principal Investigator
I am an ecosystem ecologist with interests that include biogeochemistry, soil organic matter dynamics, stable isotope ecology, and climate change. I work at the interface of the biotic and abiotic worlds, trying to understand how vegetation and microbes both respond to and shape the chemical and physical environment. I explore the conditions that prompt microorganisms to vary rates of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide production, and attempt to assess those gases’ fates in soil profiles. I use tree rings to try to understand how climate and disturbances influence tree growth patterns and survival. I also explore how vegetation can influence soil development, depending on ecosystem maturity.
Contact information:
785-864-1560sharon.billings@ku.eduC.V.

Emma Hauser, Ph.D. aspirant

emhauser@ku.edu

Lígia Souza, Ph.D. aspirant

ligiaftsouza@gmail.com

Soudeh Ghasemian, Ph.D. aspirant

soudeh.ghasemian@gmail.com

Rena Stair, Undergraduate research assistant

Dexter White, Undergraduate research assistant

Rachel Jenkins, Undergraduate research assistant

Alumni

Former post-docs and associate researchers

Christoph Lehmeier, post-doctoral scholar 2011-2013 and associate researcher 2015-2017, soon to be at the University of Munich

Samik Bagchi, post-doctoral scholar 2015-2017, now at Black and Veatch

Lisa Tiemann, student in NSF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in 2005 from the University of Colorado Boulder (Lisa became a Ph.D. student in my lab in 2006 and now is a faculty member at Michigan State)

Courtney Brewer, student in NSF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in 2004